How We Get In The Writing Zone
The word nerd in me can’t get enough of hearing how other writers get in the zone. It’s fun to see the parallels in our process, to know we all have to get up and move sometimes to find space or inspiration or both, that thoughtful consumption can lead to better creation, and that those of us with kids often have to work even harder to find room for our creative processes.
I asked my team to tell me how they get in the writing zone because I thought it would be fun for you, dear reader, to see how real we are and what we have to work around. I also thought it would be fun to remind us how much we have in common!
Some wrote in sentences, one wrote in bullets, and all wrote with a little sigh because getting in the zone is an art in itself.
And, as for me, I need a few things to find my creative flow:
A strong morning process (Abraham videos, meditation, or journaling to clear my mind) over coffee
Music with no lyrics and usually with noise-canceling headphones
Warm tea after my coffee
All notifications silenced
Non-constrictive clothes, e.g. a sweatsuit or similar. I must be showered and feel clean, though, so we’re talking fancy sweatsuits, nothing less
And if I’m really getting after it, a candle or incense burning
I will power through, often not eating or going to the bathroom if I can avoid it, but I’ve gotten better at giving myself breaks. However, anyone who gets in the zone knows coming out of it can’t guarantee re-entry. It’s like leaving the rodeo at the fair. They don’t always let you back in, and if they do, you’ll need to stop and get your hand stamped on the way.
And now, some words from Team P&A:
A sound machine turned *up* is a must — especially with our kids at home many days. I find that I need white noise to not only drown out twin toddler giggles (and crying), but also so that my mind doesn't wander.
Speaking of focus, my phone typically goes into "Do Not Disturb" mode (ditto for my email notifications).
Natural light is a must for me! My desk is situated near a window that overlooks a park behind our house, and I've found that some of my best writing happens here. (Bonus points if there's a warm breeze coming in — which is not the case this time of year, unfortunately.)
When I get stuck stuck — or on the days that a million other thoughts, worries, and to-do list items swarm my brain — I'm so grateful that my WFH sidekick, Franklin, is always up for a walk. Fresh air, some movement and a dose of vitamin D usually help me get back on track. -Eric
Eric’s writing partner, Franklin
As a homeschool mom of four, sometimes my writing process looks like sitting down mid-afternoon while my littlest naps, and sometimes it means staying up late after everyone’s in bed. While the time of day might be unpredictable during this season of life, “getting in the zone” comes with a few requirements: finding a calm and clutter-free space, putting on my headphones, finding an instrumental piano playlist, and praying for the right words. The writing process takes a bit more time these days, but it’s totally worth it! -Jami
One of the biggest gifts we can give ourselves is understanding the specific and potentially totally-out-there things that make us feel alive. When you give yourself the space to experiment with, and refine the practices that get your body, mind and soul on the same page you unlock the potential to uncover the diamonds that live inside all of us.
For me, that looks like putting things in motion. To set, and re-set, I do some kind of movement practice with music. This could be a 10 minute walk, shaking it out, or most ideally a workout. By physically and mentally moving my energy I get to that flow-like state we all crave. I also keep the music going while I’m working. My selection spans the wide range of electronic to classical, depending on my mood.
I also find some of my best days start with a Julia Cameron morning pages style session. By getting all the garbage out from the get go, I create momentum for myself. -Kim
To get into the ~zone~, I feel like my process is kind of a lack thereof. Or if it's a process, it's a messy one. I don't need to be in a specific environment or space with a specific candle burning to get any juices flowing—my head is always busy, bouncing thoughts and ideas all over the place like Brain Ping Pong. So when it comes to writing, the ping pong game finally turns into a relevant one, giving my thoughts an actual topic, direction, and goal. To get ready to write, it comes down to getting the chaos out of my noggin and onto paper—I rapid-fire write out all of the thoughts, ideas, concepts, angles, STUFF, and get it all out until the ping pong ball has slowed to a stop. Then I can lay it all out on the table, sift through the nonsense, uncrumple and decipher it all, narrow down to the winning approach, and just... go. -Helene
A quiet room, a window, a warm breeze, movement, silence, and sifting through the muck. These are the things that make a writer.
We are all writers because we decided we are. It’s hard and it’s not, but, as Jami said, it’s always worth it.
Got a project you want us to work on? We’ll match you with the perfect writer for you! Just reach out.